The Forest (Complete Unedited)

The Forest Chapter 18

MARY

After hanging up the picture at home I can't stop thinking about the times when we were all together. Before he left. When I was pregnant with Alice he'd joke around, especially when I talked about the dreams. His nickname for me was his little Irish princess. The days we'd been together were too short. I sigh and sit back just staring at the portrait. It came out quite well considering it's enlarged from a small photo booth picture.

I remember when we had tried to fit in several different booths till we finally found one with a nice background and space for the three of us to fit in. Though we weren't legally married we had our rings on while we held Alice in the middle. She'd been crying moments before but her dad had kissed her on the cheek. That had made her laugh just in time for the flash.

When we'd decided on Alice's name it had started as a joke between us. But the name suited her so well we had kept it as our first choice.

When she was born we had decided that it was time to meet Sam's parents. His main issue was looking good for them so he worked even harder. He would play drums with his band in the bar most nights. Days he worked two part time jobs. While I worked as a laundret supervisor, there I could keep Alice with me.

We had quite a bit saved by the time Alice was nearly three. We had gone that day to put it in the bank. Before that, we always kept our money in the wall of our room. I had finally convinced him that it wasn't safe. You would think I would be the one who couldn't trust banks, but I suppose he had more experience, since he grew up in a rich family.

The main reason was so his father couldn't find him. We had already decided to meet them anyway, so there was no longer a reason to hide. The money was not a small amount, coming to nearly 20,000 pounds. You would think it impossible to earn this amount but it was three years of savings. We hadn't had much of a plan the two years before that.

Alice changed everything. We had been living day to day, most money we earnt went to the small flat we rented. When he found out he was going to be a dad, he became serious. I was scared that he didn't want her when he said. 'This won't do!' But the man I loved wasn't like that.

The plan came about as we discussed it together. We would save and buy a small house. So we wouldn't have to pay rent anymore. Then we would be able to support our child well. In the back of our minds we wanted to look successful, hoping his parents would accept us this way.

The day we happily walked home from the bank we held hands. Unaware that was the last day we would see each other. We had put the money in a high interest savings account with both our real names, we were old enough now. The money couldn't be touched for a year.

We were both due to pick up our pay for the week. We had also kept about a hundred back for expenses. Our room only cost about 80 a week, we were sub letting so it wasn't entirely legal. It had gone up recently but it was still cheaper than private rented.

Those savings had been what saved me and Alice in the end. We got home to find the room destroyed. Our belongings were torn up and broken. The hole in the wall smashed. Our photo albums were burnt, the small TV and DVD player were gone. DVDs and some clothes had been taken too. We didn't have much but even our change jar was taken.

We sat outside the door, stunned, our room was one of five. Who had let this person in? Our door was the only one smashed in. I wish I had held onto him that day, maybe things would be different now. My beautiful baby would have her dad still. I wish she could walk through that door, I miss her. Now I've lost them both.

I wipe my eyes, this should cheer me up not make me sad. Our old family picture is just the start, next we will take one with her grandparents too. Looking at the clock I realise it's time to go. I will meet these people and Alice will get the next best thing. I pray she comes back safe and sound.